Baseline Results. Mean age was 56.8 ± 5.1 y. Baseline BMI was 30.7 ± 3.9. Median CRP concentration was 5.0 mg/L (Interquartile range: 1.0, 8.5). HOMA index at baseline was 7.13 ± 3.8. Serum 25-OH-D concentration at baseline was 54.5 ± 15.7 nmol/L (~22 ng/mL). Almost 94% of patients had baseline serum 25-OH-D levels <80 nmol/L, and 25% were below 40 nmol/L. No one had levels <20 nmol/L. There were no statistical differences on important variables by treatment group at the onset of study.